Page:Clyde and Strathnairn.djvu/71

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THE NORTHERN OPERATIONS
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and 2nd Punjab Infantry. The second included H.M.'s 8th and 61st Regiments and the 4th Sikh Infantry. The third consisted of H.M.'s 52nd, the 2nd Bengal Fusileers, and 1st Punjab Infantry. The fourth was made up of detachments of European regiments, the Sirmur battalion of Gúrkhas, the Guides Infantry, and the Kashmírian levies. The Reserve was composed of the 60th Rifles, the Kumáun battalion of Gúrkhas, and the 4th Punjab Infantry.

The fourth column was the first to advance. It was directed against the Kishenganj and Taharipur suburbs, and was intended as a diversion in favour of the real attacks. This, at least, was all it succeeded in doing; for, notwithstanding the gallantry displayed by the commander, his troops failed to dislodge the enemy. The other three columns were more successful. Up to the moment of their advance into the open, the batteries kept up a heavy fire, and swept the walls of the city. The Rifles were the first to rush forward, skirmishing along the front. The first column was under orders to storm the breach near the Kashmír Bastion, the second that in the Water Bastion, and the third to assault by the Kashmír Gate, as soon as it should be blown open. With a fierce exultant shout, the first and second columns dashed onward, scrambled into the ditch, applied their ladders to the scarp of the wall, and swarmed up into the breach under a murderous fire of musketry.

Nicholson quickly effected a lodgment in the main-